“It is bad enough you pilfered from the good silver,” she says. “Bad enough I caught you with one of the mistress’s bracelets. They will not notice that. This they will notice.” She waves the book again. “I didn’t—” “I covered for you, missy. I let you cry and promise you wouldn’t do it again. I knew better. I could hear the lie in your voice, see the crocodile in your tears, but for Miss Isla’s sake, I allowed you one final chance. This is the last straw.
